The Village

Time Out says

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Time Out says

The huge grill at the entrance to this Bulgarian café, and its menu of koftes, houmous and Greek salad, don’t immediately distinguish it from the many Turkish joints nearby.

But once we sat down, surrounded by sturdy lads reading newspapers in Cyrillic, and studied the ‘traditional’ part of the menu, it became clear this isn’t just another kebab shop.

Bulgarian cuisine is a refreshing combination of heavy Eastern European potato and meat dishes, and Greek/Turkish influences of grilled seafood and well-ripened vegetables.

The more Balkan dishes were the best of the ones we tried: the fried chicken livers and hearts with onions were scrumptious, particularly the different textures of the offal and the addition of savory – a thyme-like herb widely grown in Bulgaria.

Just as homely was the ‘Grandmother’s Potato’ – a simple pot dish of layered crumbly potatoes and sharp Bulgarian cheeses.

But the best dish was the last. Our lovely, chatty waitress persuaded us to taste garash cake – in this case a delicate combination of pastry, walnuts, cocoa and sour cream with (relatively) little sugar – a perfect example of how East meets South in this still little-known cuisine.

The Village is simple and inclusive enough to satisfy the average inhabitant of Green Lanes, but also offers a glimpse of the peasant- and home-style Bulgarian cooking for food adventurers.

They serve the usual kebabs etc, but I decided to try one of the Bulgarian specialties - Guveche, and it was very good. It was a casserole with olives, fetta, ham, tomato and capsicum - the free crusty bread was a good accompaniment. The Bulgarian kebabs looked huge, and I will get one next time I'm feeling a bit hungrier! The Bulgarian Rakia (spirits) was incredibly strong, but was good for warming up on a cold winter night!
Bulgarians are also big on salads, and the salads here are amazing, fresh and tasty. Make sure you order one, even the simple green salad is good!
It was very quiet during a weeknight but I'm told it gets busy during the week. Service was friendly, but don't expect them to be able to recommend anything to you, they'll tell you "anything is good".
Oh - and it's cheap!

went there for lunch today. The Village is cracking. They have some weird cuts of meat available and the sheapard's salad and the pancakes are to die for. The service is excellent. Ask questions and they will want to tell you loads about the options available. The big mix grills are popular and portion size is commendable. Popular in the weekend evenings, but go midweek and at the moment with all main dishes a glass of bulgarian wine is free. What a deal!